Pebble Brook Golf Club has long been a go-to destination for many golfers of different skill levels. Just minutes from Indianapolis, nestled between Noblesville and Westfield, the community has been gathering at the club for decades for dinner, practice, a game with family and friends, and more.
The south course was built in the mid to late 1960s, and by the 1970s the late entrepreneur Eldon Palmer purchased it, adding the north course in 1989.
What was once a single 18-hole golf course now boasts two 18-hole courses, allowing for dual tournaments and activities on the property. The family-friendly atmosphere is just what the Palmer family envisioned when creating the public amenity.
Upgrades and improvements have occurred every year, but this year the three-generation, family-owned club is celebrating their largest renovation to date.
“The bar area has been completely redone at the Pebble Brook Grill, and we added a new building with four golf simulators and a small banquet space attached to that,” said Brad Mays, general manager.
The highly anticipated simulators are expected to be a hit among new and seasoned golfers alike.
According to the National Golf Foundation, 45 million Americans aged 6 and above played on-course and off-course golf in 2023, and simulators are becoming increasingly popular.
Mays said groups are already booking the new technology and event space for 2025, and it’s perfect for corporate events, civic groups and other organizations.
Whether for a holiday, celebration of an accomplishment, or team-building experience, the club has something for everyone.
“The simulators capture wintertime activity and it may be an easier entry into golf,” said Mays. “We’re seeing a lot of beginners go that route but it also works for those with a time constraint. You can play 18 holes on a simulator in an hour. It has driving-range functions; you can hit balls and get your shot data. It provides a lot of flexibility.”
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Participants can also set up long-drive contests, par 3, and other games on the simulator, and it has hundreds of courses from around the world to choose from.
The staff at Pebble Brook has noticed a steady demographic change among those interested in the game of golf. Since 2019, juniors have contributed a 40% increase in interest and playing time – the largest gains of any age group. Youth golf continues to grow in 2024, and the club caters to many levels of age, skill and golf experience.
“We’re seeing a tremendous increase in youth golf and will have close to 1,000 kids go through our junior program this summer,” said Mays. “We have options for lessons through our Smart Golf Academy, and we’re home to the Westfield boys and girls middle school golf teams and the Guerin High School boys and girls teams.”
Women golfers also contribute to the popularity of the sport, adding a 25% increase in recent years with female teams, tournaments and clubs.
Clubs at Pebble Brook like the Men’s Club and Ladies Club encourage beginners and seasoned golfers to join in on the fun. They meet weekly and have additional opportunities to hone their skills throughout the year.
In addition, Pebble Brook Golf Club regularly brings in special events including the Jake Laird Memorial Golf Outing, which welcomes more than 350 participants, and several hundred more with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation outing in the fall.
Most of all, the club is a place where all are invited to enjoy the amenities, perhaps a round of golf, and time with friends and neighbors.
“Pebble Brook is a public facility where everyone is welcome,” said Mays. “We have 36 holes and it allows us to invite a wide range of golfers and activities.”
Surrounding neighborhoods account for more than 100 golf carts in the area, and it’s not uncommon to see people utilizing the beautiful grounds.
“We’ve had families coming in to play an hour on the simulator and then have dinner at the grill,” said Mays. “I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface of the simulator possibilities yet. People regularly come out for dinner, sit on the patio, play as a family or get in some practice.”
It’s something the Palmer family is hoping for, as generations of new and veteran golfers continue to increase interest in the sport, gather as friends and neighbors, and enjoy all Pebble Brook Golf Club has to offer.
